A question British F1 fans are asking this week: what on earth is going on at Brackley? Strange stories have started appearing in the public prints indicating that all is not proceeding smoothly with the sale of the team formerly known as Honda.

The chances of Jenson Button lining up on the grid in Melbourne are looking considerably better, according to team boss Nick Fry. He has revealed that the Brackley-based outfit is considering around a dozen “serious” offers.

Jenson Button has won a ringing endorsement from his Honda team’s management, which reckons he could take on Lewis Hamilton with the right equipment. But they are not yet certain enough to give him a 2009 contract, it would appear…